LCD Goes Curvy

The center console touchscreen is a pretty common piece of technology these days. It provides drivers with route and weather information, road closures and detours, and fun stuff like music and things that will be passed along the way which might interest occupants . But, like any technology, there’s always room for improvement.

Sharp has taken a huge step in making the on-board computer display more efficient and more convenient. The company’s newest liquid-crystal display (LCD) has a bit of give to it when it comes to shape which allows it to have more to give a driver. Currently these screens are limited to a basic rectangular shape without much room for creativity. Sharp has introduced the ability to mold them into any shape a designer would like, in order to fit into a car’s dashboard comfortably and be pleasing to the eye.

If you are interested in all the geek-speak on how this works, Google it, but for the purposes of this article let’s just say the pixels have been tweaked and modified with the capacity to fit any shape imaginable. Round gauges can be displayed in a round area looking more like any other dashboard console. Sharp calls it a Free-Form Display and says that it is lighter and thinner than current displays and retains its touchscreen abilities as well. This would mean that all gauges, navigation, music, and other common dashboard modules could be fitted into the same space.

The technology is still costly at this point, but as with any other new gadget the price will eventually come down, especially when it can be mass produced. The future of dashboard LCDs and touchscreens are likely to be changed forever.